After just two full years of wrestling, Connor Gillilland (‘25) rose from newcomer to team captain, exemplifying belief and perseverance. 

“He has what every coach would dream of having in a wrestler,” says Head Wrestling Coach Jim Mason. “He’s a believer. He’s an example of what we can do with a kid who buys into what we are teaching.”

Prior to his Sophomore year, Gillilland had never wrestled before. But despite his inexperience, he made the Varsity team. Though he faced challenges in his first season, struggling at meets and losing several matches, he persevered.

“I had a hard time doing well at meets,” Gillilland said. “I lost so many matches and I would always give my all but I never had a lot of success. But that ended up benefiting me because I learned from my mistakes.”

His struggles didn’t last long, however. He ended his second season with a record of 32 wins and 14 losses, securing third-place finish at districts and qualifying him for regionals. “I had to change how I lived,” said Gillilland. “I had to be more disciplined and I had to get used to the physical stress on my body.” 

The development of Gillilland’s overall discipline and dedication can be summed up by telling the story of one specific day of each wrestling season: Thanksgiving. Every year on Thanksgiving morning, the wrestling team practices at 7am. “Connor, his first year, wouldn’t go,” says Mason. “His second year, he did go and he wanted to go. This year he ABSOLUTELY wanted to go.”

However, being a strong, dedicated wrestler is not the only reason Gillilland was made a captain of the team. He has built a reputation as someone who leads by example. “Leaders are contagious and they convince others to follow [them],” says Mason “He leads by example and brings others with him.”

Gillilland is also well loved by teammates.

“I look at Connor more as a family member than I do a teammate,” says Jayden Shaw (‘25) “he’s a very good person and always inspiring others.”

After a great three-year experience wrestling for Skyline, Gillilland says that he does not plan to wrestle competitively after high school. However, he is still seeking a strong finish to his senior-year campaign. He will undoubtedly leave behind an example of how much growth can be achieved through commitment and dedication.